have borrowed the substance of passages from my own volume, ‘Memorials of Merton College,’ and from articles on recent University reforms contributed by myself to various periodicals. If I have succeeded in bringing within a single view the successive phases of development through which the University has passed in the course of seven hundred years, and in paving the way for a more comprehensive and detailed history, the object of this little volume will have been attained. GEORGE C. BRODRICK. CONTENTS. PAGE PREFACE v CHAPTER I. THE RISE OF THE UNIVERSITY. Mythical origin of the University—Early Schools of Oxford—Intellectual revival of the twelfth century—Lectures of Vacarius, and first germs of the University—Connection of Oxford with the University of Paris—Recognition of the scholars by the Papal Legate after the riot of 1209—Office of Chancellor—University chests, and sources of revenue in the thirteenth century—Rise of Halls—Early University charters 1 CHAPTER II. THE EARLY COLLEGES. Rise of Colleges—Foundation of University and Balliol—Foundation of Merton College—Merton College, Statutes of, 1274—Social position, manners, and academical life of early students—‘Chamber-dekyns’—Street brawls and disorders—Superiority of colleges in discipline and tuition 15 CHAPTER III. PROGRESS OF THE UNIVERSITY IN THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY. Europe in the fourteenth century—Social condition of the University—Intellectual vigour of the University—Foundation of Exeter, Oriel, Queen’s, and Canterbury Colleges—Foundation of New College—European influence of Oxford in the fourteenth century—Rise of Wyclif—Career of Wyclif—Feud between Northern and Southern ‘nations’—Early secessions to Cambridge and Northampton—Secession to Stamford in 1333—Growth of the proctorial authority—Concession by the Pope of freedom in the election of the Chancellor 27 CHAPTER IV. CONFLICTS BETWEEN THE UNIVERSITY AND THE CITY. Royal award of 1290—Riot of 1297 and agreement of 1298—Great riot of 1354—Interdict and penance—New charter granted by the King 43 CHAPTER V. THE MONKS AND FRIARS AT OXFORD. Benedictines and Augustinians—Rise of Mendicant Orders—Claustral schools—Migration from Paris and influence of Robert Grostete—Position of the friars at Oxford, and University statutes against them—Intervention of the Pope and the King 48 CHAPTER VI. THE UNIVERSITY IN THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY.